AGENDA ITEM BACKGROUND
TO: GOVERNING BOARD
DATE
FROM: PRESIDENT
August 1, 2011
SUBJECT:
Board Policy for Student Success, BP 1021
REASON FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION
ENCLOSURE(S)
ITEM NUMBER
Information
Page 1 of 2
E.6
Background:
Board member Garcia has requested that the administration draft a board policy reflecting the Cabrillo
College Governing Board’s commitment to student success. The Community College League of California
does not have a model board policy for student success. BP 1021 is modeled on an earlier resolution
approved by the Cabrillo Governing Board.
BOARD POLICY FOR STUDENT SUCCESS
BP 1021
California’s community colleges system is the nation’s largest in total numbers and a constant leader in the
nation in the percentage of the adult population in attendance;
There has been a general decline in United States higher education attainment compared to other large
industrialized nations. In 1960, California ranked eighth in the nation in the percentage of adults between the
ages 25- to 34-year-olds holding at least a bachelor’s degree. By 2006, California ranked 23rd in its share of
25- to 34-year-olds holding at least that degree and 43rd among states in the ratio of bachelor’s degrees
awarded compared to high school diplomas awarded five years earlier.
President Barack Obama has proposed that the United States reclaim the lead in the percentage of adults
earning associates’ degrees or higher among developed nations which would require increasing the
percentage of 25– to 34-year-olds with associate degrees or higher from 40.4% to 60% by 2020.
The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) estimates that California needs one million more
baccalaureate degree holders above the state’s baseline projection in 2025 to meet the workforce needs of
California employers. California’s community colleges are uniquely positioned to make a major contribution
to increasing the success and achievement of their students which will, in turn, help California to reclaim its
former level of excellence in education and economic well-being.
The Cabrillo College Governing Board recognizes the need for setting ambitious goals to enable students to
increase completions – of both certificates and associate degrees and successful transfer -- which will lead to
a significant increase in the number and percentage of Californians who hold an associate’s degree or higher
and once again exceed the national average by 2020.
Administrator Initiating Item:
Brian King
Academic and Professional Matter
If yes, Faculty Senate Agreement
Senate President Signature
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
Final Disposition
1.
The Board of Trustees of the Cabrillo Community College District is committed to the
implementation of the “2020 Vision for Student Success” report published by the Community College
League of California and its “Commission on the Future” in 2010.
2.
The Board of Trustees of the Cabrillo Community College District pledges to engage its local
college(s) in efforts aimed at improving the access and success of its students while also increasing
equity by closing the achievement gap among various racial groups of students.
2